Who's Coming to Dinner

Who is Coming to Dinner

Sarasota owes Skip Sack a heartfelt thank you. After Sack, a part-time Longboat Key resident and former Applebeeis executive, became chairman of the National Restaurant Association in May, he chose Sarasota for the groupis annual winter board meeting.

And this isnit just any board meeting. These folks are the whois who of the countryis largest, most successful restaurants. Head honchos from Ruthis Chris Steak House, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Applebeeis Neighborhood Grill & Bar, LongHorn Steakhouse, even Dick Marriott of Host Marriott, will be here. If the Sarasota-Manatee area wasnit on the list to consider for expansion, it should be soon.

From Jan. 23-26, restaurant executives will hold meetings at various Sarasota locales: the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota; Michaelis On East; CafE LiEurope; Pattigeorgeis; The Ringling Museum of Art and more.

Restaurants, of course, are big business. The industry is projected to generate sales of $475.8 billion this year, equal to 4% of the nationis total gross domestic product.

The employment power of the industry is impressive; itis the largest private employer in the United States with about 12.2 million employees, and that is expected to climb to 14 million by 2015.

Americans love to eat out. The typical American spends nearly 47% of his food dollar at restaurants.

GCBR talked to four of these fast-driving entrepreneurs. All had a story worth telling and hearing. Most had humble beginnings; three of the four started out as dishwashers. But with hard work and perseverance, they realized the American dream.

So to all 150 visiting board members, GCBR welcomes you. We hope you enjoy what you see.

And thanks, Skip.